We recently had a fiesta, and I never really understood what that means, before I came here.   November 2nd was The Day of the Dead when you visit all your deceased relatives in the graveyard and take floral tributes.  All very well, but that was a Wednesday.  For the rest of th week, banks, schools an government offices were closed while everyone partied.

On the Friday late afternoon there was a big fair up on the hill, here, with many food stalls, selling stalls, everything from dolls to air conditioners, children's rides and competing sound systems blaring out various messages and music in the salsa mode.  There was even a dog show, not to find the best of breed, but a fashion show to see who was the best dressed pooch!



We stuck the noise for a couple of hours and had good, though separate suppers ( mine was a roast pork roll - hot, with salad) and Calvin had goat stew.  Much dancing and pop groups were forecast for later in the evening, and apparently this fair went on the whole weekend.

On the Monday, fondly thinking it was all over, we went into Santa Elena to go to the market.  Fat chance.  We never even managed to cross the road, as there was a procession, withbands, and dancers and floats and marching ( in costume)  Again we watched it for 2 hours and saw no sign that it would end soon (and there were no repeats) Everyone and his grandma's cat was there, from every school, every municipal office, every local political chapter, football supporters' clubs and the bee-keepers, firemen and police.  so you can see, the town just couldn't function that day at all.

Now I understand a little about fiesta as seen from South America.